Worth Collecting: Coins of the United States Mint

Published on 1/11/2018 by APMEX

The United States Mint boasts a venerable and fascinating history. Though new collectors may be thrilled by the idea of assembling an array of world coins, one need look no further than the good old U.S. of A. to find collectible coins ranging from modestly priced to priceless treasure, from hot off the press to centuries old, and from scarce to common. Coins from the United States Mint are worth collecting for their beauty, history and value.

History of the United States Mint

The United States Mint was created by Congress with passing of the Coinage Act of 1792. The first mint building was located in Philadelphia, PA, which was at that time still the capital of the U.S. Today, the mint's headquarters are in Washington D.C, though no coins are produced there. It operates mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and West Point, NY in addition to having a bullion depository at Fort Knox, KY. Throughout the history of the U.S. Mint, there have been official branches in Carson City, NV, Charlotte, NC, Dahlonega, GA, New Orleans, LA, Washington, D.C, and even in one in Manila, Philippines! The United States Mint has endured through a varied and storied history between 1792 and now, but its role as one of the defining institutions of our Republic is as strong and vital as ever.

Most Valuable U.S. Coins

A casual observer of coins and coin collecting may think the rarest, most beautiful and most coveted numismatic coins come from someplace exotic or have their age tallied in millennia rather than decades or centuries, but that is not the case. The most expensive coin ever sold from an auction block was a 1704 Flowing Hair Dollar, purchased in January 2013 for the breathtaking price of $10,016,875. In fact, six of the 10 highest-priced-at-auction coins were products of the United States Mint. Among these were examples of the aforementioned Flowing Hair Dollar as well as the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, the Bust Dollar and the Liberty Head Nickel. APMEX has several of this type of high-caliber numismatic pieces among its collection of rare coins for those about to make a serious coin acquisition or those who enjoy admiring exceptional coins.

Great Coins of the U.S. Mint

There are so many worthy collectible coins minted in the United States that we cannot possibly list them all here. However, let’s look at some popular and accessible examples that may help you begin on your path to collecting U.S. coins.

Silver Morgan Dollars

Morgan Silver Dollars are an excellent entry point into collecting coins of the United States Mint. We have a gorgeous array of them at APMEX and there is sure to be one at a price point that makes sense for you. Ours range in price from $20 to nearly $100,000.

U.S. Washington Quarters

Washington Quarters should be familiar to every American. They fill our pockets and slide between our couch cushions every day. But did you know there are many Washington Quarters that have numismatic value? Many excellent examples of this well-known coin are in stock at APMEX, starting at just a few dollars.

U.S. Cents

United States Cents range from priceless 18th century Flowing Hair cents to beloved Indian Head pennies worth a few dollars to the ubiquitous Lincoln Cent, which you can buy for less than a dollar. What makes U.S. cents so fascinating is their rich history and the huge role they played in building our culture and national identity. A cent was the very first U.S. coin ever struck! A United States cent would make a wonderfully symbolic first U.S. Mint coin purchase.

If you would like to begin building a considered collection of numismatic coins from the United States Mint, APMEX can help. We have educational material available on our website and we have knowledgeable staff waiting to assist you via phone or live chat. Of course you can also just begin looking around our immense inventory of United States coins to see what strikes your fancy. There really is something for everyone at APMEX.